The official video for ‘Illusionist’ introduces EVERDAWN’s forthcoming studio album, Kali. The New Jersey symphonic metal band have unveiled the song as the record’s first single ahead of its January 15, 2027 release through Frontiers Music Srl. Album preorders are available.
EVERDAWN describe ‘Illusionist’ as a reflection on ambition becoming destructive, with the pursuit of power, recognition and success erasing moral boundaries. The song addresses deception, the human cost of obsession and the reckoning behind an appearance of greatness.
“But no illusion lasts forever: every ambition comes with a revelation and reckoning, exposing the darkness behind the glory,” the band explain.
That subject connects with an album concerned with creation, destruction and the fragile nature of existence. EVERDAWN’s statement places Shiva’s eternal dance alongside the end of the universe, drawing together ancient myths, forbidden desires, betrayal and the search for spiritual awakening.
“Throughout these stories, beauty and destruction often go hand in hand, reminding us how closely creation and devastation are connected,” the band say.
The group also describe resilience as central to the record: overcoming adversity, recognizing deception and finding the determination to recover. Those struggles lead to a broader question in their statement: “what really lasts when everything else is gone?” They add: “No power lasts forever, no kingdom is untouchable, and even the stars are destined to fade away.”
Musically, the announcement describes Kali as combining EVERDAWN’s symphonic roots with a more progressive approach, using cinematic arrangements, guitar work, keyboard textures and melodic hooks. Alina Gavrilenko handles lead vocals, Boris Zaks plays keyboards, Richard Fischer contributes guitars and backing vocals, and Dan Prestup plays drums. Symphony X bassist Mike LePond contributes bass as a special guest and also appears in the announcement’s lineup listing.
Jacob Hansen, whose supplied credits include Volbeat, Amaranthe, Epica and Evergrey, mixed and mastered the album.
- Cosmic Dancer
- Heat Death
- Illusionist
- Jupiter Rising
- Love Is Gone
- Kali
- Age Of Aquarius
- Piscean Heart
- Andromeda
- White Lie
- Scorpio Moon
- The Pleiades
The band formed in New Jersey in 2014 as MIDNIGHT ETERNAL. After releasing a self-titled debut album, the group toured North America and Europe alongside Queensrÿche and Therion. Lineup changes and Gavrilenko’s arrival preceded the adoption of the EVERDAWN name.
Cleopatra followed in 2021, accompanied by a European tour supporting Michael Schenker. EVERDAWN subsequently released Venera through Frontiers Music Srl in December 2023.
Press photography is credited to Christina Signorile.
